DUBAI // When Shobhika Kalra went out with friends to try a Japanese eaterie she was mortified when inadequate access meant four people had to lift her into the restaurant.
“Everyone was staring,” she said. “It completely spoilt my mood. I had gone there to have fun but I was so conscious after that.
“When I feel dependent on other people I don’t like it.”
Ms Kalra said while many hotels have rooms equipped for the disabled, the same benefits for wheelchair users were often not afforded in restaurants.
“Many are not even aware that they may have customers in wheelchairs,” said the Indian.
In her day-to-day routine Ms Kalra, who has been in a wheelchair for 13 years, often faces obstacles.
“There are many places that are not user-friendly,” she said. “Public transport in Dubai is wheelchair friendly, but buses in Abu Dhabi don’t have ramps.
“I also rarely travel by taxi because I don’t think the taxis over here have portable ramps.”
When she sets off from her home in Dubai every day, Ms Kalra faces a 15-minute journey in her wheelchair to the Rashidiya metro station, from where she travels to her work as a behavioural research analyst at the Eduscan Researcher Educational Institute.
There are small improvements that would make a big difference in her everyday life, such as having a hold button outside – rather than inside – a lift, to delay the door closing so she can navigate her way in with ease and not rely on someone else holding the doors open for her.
A fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis would also be beneficial, said Ms Kalra.
“I get a normal taxi but then I have to ask them to fold my chair and to take out my battery, so it’s a bit of a pain. I prefer the metro.”
Ms Kalra used to find difficulties because of a lack of ramps at her nearest metro station, although after raising the problem with the RTA, this has since been resolved.
The 25-year-old, who was raised in Abu Dhabi and went to the Abu Dhabi Indian School, finds she is often the only person in a wheelchair on the metro, which she feels makes her the subject of many glances from other travellers.
She would like to see more education – starting in schools – so the general public would be better informed of how to interact with the disabled.
“People are so unaware,” she said. “When they see a person in a wheelchair, they don’t know if they should even speak to that person.
“Once greater awareness comes, I think everything will fall into place – including accessibility.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Jawan
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Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)
5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)
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